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E. BITTER v. SKODA. ORDNANGE SIGHT.

No. 514,969. Patented Feb. 20, 1894.

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ORDNANGE SIGHT No. 514,969; Patented Feb. 20, 1894.

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ORDNANO'E SIGHT No. 514,969. Pate ted Feb. 20, 1894.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMIL RITTER V. SKODA, OF FILSEN, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

ORDNANCE-SIGHT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 514,969, dated February 20, 1894.

Application filed March 2, 1893. Serial No.

October 4, 1892,1lo. 17,672; in Germany October 4,

464,304- (No model.) Patented in Belgium October 4, 1892, No. 101,598; in England 1892, N0- 69,368; in Switzerland October 4,1892,Nc. 5,920; in France October 4, 18,92,110. 224,716, and in Italy December 81, 1892, XXVII, 32,844, LXIV, 330.

1892; Italy, Vol. XXVII, No. 32,814, and Vol.

LXIV, No. 330; dated December 31, 1892; England, No. 17,672, dated October 4, 1892; Ger many, dated October 4,1892, No. 69,368; Switzerland, dated October 4, 1892, No. 5,920, and France,dated October4,1892, No. 224,716 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Myinventionhas relation to gun sights, and more particularly to sights for rapid firing guns, and has for its object the provision of means whereby the range may be quickly obtained and the gun sighted, either by day or by night.

To these ends the invention consists in the combination with a gun, of sights adapted to be rendered visible by night to the gunner; the invention further consists in the means for readily and quickly determining the range to which the gun is to be sighted, in the combination with said means of a sight rod adapted to be used independently, and in structural features and combinations of co-operative elements as will now be fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation, Fig. 2 a top plan View, and Fig. 3 an end elevation of a rear gun sight combined with means for determining the elevation of the gun in accordance with the range of fire. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken through the pivot of the sight and range segments and through the lock plate, showing means for illuminating the sight and range indicator. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrative of the operation of the sighting devices. Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view of parts of Fig. 5 drawn to an enlarged scale, and Fig.8 is a diagram illustrativeof the electrical connections of the incandescent lamps used for illuminating the sights.

Similar letters indicate like parts wherever such may occur in the figures of drawingsjust described.

Referring to Figs. 1' to 4 inclusive, which illustrate the sighting device as constructed for day use only, B, indicatesabase plate that is secured to the gun barrel, said plate being provided with blocks or standards,bandb' in which are formed bearings for a pivot pin, a, that is preferably formed integral with the rear sight, A, the end of the pin Ct projecting beyond the bearing, 2), and is provided in said projecting end with a peripheral groove engaged by a locking latch, c, pivoted to bearing, b, for the purpose of locking the pin and parts connected therewith against endwise motion and for the purpose of readily removing the said pin and parts from the bearings, 12, b, when this becomes desirable or necessary'from any cause. The rear sight A is constructed in the form of a segment or seetor of a circle, and is arranged eccentrically relatively to its pin a, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the eccentric segmental sight being provided with a peripheral sight groove, (1, that is V-shaped in cross-section, and constitutes the sight notch. The eccentric segmental sight is arranged parallel with the major axis of the gun with its pin a at right angles thereto, and the direction of the sight groove (1 relatively to the axis of the gun barrel corresponds with the lateral deviation of the projectile.

To the outer side of the eccentric segmental sight is secured a segmental (preferably semi-circular) range indicator 0, the periphery of which is graduated to distances or angles of elevation constituting a range scale of suitable amplitude, as for instance from two hundred to two thousand four hundred meters.

To the range indicator 0 is secured a semicircular lock-plate D that has a peripheral flange overhanging a portion of the periphery of the range indicator and is provided with lock notches d, corresponding with the range graduations on said indicator so that the angle through which the eccentric segmental sight A is to be revolved for the purpose of obtaining the desired sighting elevation, may be readily determined.

To the lock plate D is secured a handle 70, whereby the said lock-plate, the range indicator and eccentric segmental sight are simultaneously revolved. The parts are locked into the positions to which they are or may be adjusted by means of a locking pawl or tooth e, secured to the free end of a leaf spring E, the opposite end of which is provided with a flange for securing the spring to the base B, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. To said spring E by the side of the locking tooth e, is also secured an inclined index plate f, the inclination of the plate being upwardly and forwardly, and said index plate is arranged to trail with its free edge on the graduated periphery of the range indicator and performs the function of an index hand or finger in setting the indicator to a given range.

When the apparatus is constructed for night service, as hereinafter described, the screws g, that secure the lock spring E to the base B, also serve to secure to said base an insulation block or plate h, of ebonite, forinstance, that carries a metallic binding screw F, provided with a metallic arm 71.

The pivot a for the sighting devices also carries between the bearings b, b, a sight rod G, adapted to be turned up or down, and is held in the position to which it is adjusted by a leaf spring m secured to base plate B and having bearing on a radial lug or projection Z, on the hub of said rod G as shown in Fig. 4. The rod is constructed in the form of a rack bar having teeth g formed along one of its edges, and on said rod is adjustably mounted a sight 3 provided with asight notch sn. As shown in Fig. 2 the sight 5 projects from a slide it having bearings for a revoluble spindle, s, on which is secured a pinion 19 said spindle carrying a suitable milled head 72. whereby the sight is adjusted along the rod G. The lateral deviation of the sight notch sn from the vertical line takes place in consequence of thelaterallyinclined position of the rod G when elevated, the required obliquity of the rod relatively to the major axis of the gun being obtained by boring the bearing for the pivot pin a at the desired angle relatively to the major axis of the rod, so that when in use for sighting the sight line as determined by the adjustable sight nand the front sight of the gun will form an angle relatively to the major axis of said gun corresponding with the deviation of the projectile, for well known purposes. This sight rod is designed for, use in slow firing, and for day service only.

As stated, the sighting devices may, with but very slight structural changes, be adapted to both day and night service, as shown in Figs. 5, 7, and 8, the pivot pin a, being of tubular form while the eccentric segmental sight and the semi-circular range indicator are constructed in the form of a casing, and said parts may then be formed integral, as shown in Fig. 5. The eccentric segmental sight A, has closely arranged openings or perforations d along the line of greatest depth of the sight groove cl, while the semi-circular range indicator has a peripheral slot closed by a transparent or translucent plate 7', of celluloid, for instance, on which the range indices are preferably marked in black, said .plate being conveniently held in position in a suitable peripheral recess by the overhanging flange cl of the lock plate D, as shownin Fig. 5.

The illuminating device consists of an incandescent lamp L, whose neck is fitted in an ivory tube 0, contained in the pivot pin a, an elastic cushion, as a sleeve 0, of vulcanized rubber being interposed between the said neck of the lamp and said ivory tube, so as to provide an elastic bearing for the lamp and a safeguard against breakage. A portion of the neck of the lamp,L, near the'bulh is inserted into a metallic socket or sleeve 19, provided with an arm p, secured by means of a screw to the inner face of the eccentric segmental sight A and range indicator 0. The outer end ofthe neck of the lamp abuts against a metallic fixed plug (1 connected by a spring q preferably of German silver, with a movable plug, q in the outer end of the ivory tube 0, which plug, q is in contact with the metallic arm '5 of the binding screw F, hereinbefore referred to.- One of the leading in wires of the lamp, or one end of its filament is connected with the metallic sleeve 19, and consequently with the metallic eccentric segmental sight and range indicator, A, C, and its pin a, and through the latter and the bearing, b, b, with the metallic base, B, of the apparatus, hence with the gun, while the other leading in wire or other end of the filament is connected with the plug q, and through the spring g with plug, q, and binding screw F, through arm '5 hereinbefore referred to, so that the lamp can be readily placed in an electric circuit.

In order that the necessary amount of light may reach the perforations d in sight groove d, I form them on lines oblique to the radius in the direction of the zone of incandescence of the lamp filament.

hen the lamp is in operation at night the celluloid range index plate 0' provided with the range indices in black will appear gray, so that said indices are readily discernible without injury to the eye, and in View of the curvilinear arrangement of the light I perforations, d the observer will have in view a line of light of a dull green hue that is not dazzling to the eye, in fact, the intensity of the line of light is a gradually diminishing one in opposite directions from a point of greatest luminosity or intensity, as will be readily understood. Of course in order to obtain a greenish light which is least injurious or fatiguing to the eyes a green glass bulb is rent strength of from four to five volts having been found ample for both lamps.

It is of course desirable that the conductors that connect the lamps with the source .of electricity should not only be-thoroughly insulated, but that they should also possess the necessary flexibility, for obvious reasons, while the battery H or other electrical source should be so located as to be protected against shock.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated the operation of the sighting apparatus diagrammatically, a, being the axis of rotation of the sight, A, which is shown in its lowermost or depressed position in full lines, and in its uppermost or highest and in an intermediate position by dotted lines, indicated by A A, respectively, d, d (1, indicating the sight point when the sight is in the positions of A, A A, respectively, a a, the angles of rotation for the corresponding heights of the sight points, d (1, and S is the front sight.

I have referred to ivory tubes in respect of the connections for the lamp L, as an insulating material, but do not wish to confine myself thereto, as other suitable insulating materials may be used in the construction of these tubes.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Arear sight for guns, comprising a revoluble eccentric segmental sight, a segmental range indicator having a fixed relation relatively to but revoluble with the sight, and a locking device for locking said parts into position, for the purpose set forth.

2. A rear sight for guns, comprisinga revo' luble eccentric segmental sight, provided with a peripheral sight groove, V-shaped in cross section, a segmental range indicator formed integral with the sight, a ratchet segment connected with the range indicator, and a spring pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet, for the purpose set forth.

3. A rear sight for guns comprising a revoluble eccentric segmental sight, a segmental range indicator having a fixed relation relatively to but revoluble with the sight, a fixed index finger plate in contact with the range indicator, anda locking device for locking said parts into position, for the purpose set forth.

4. A rear sight for-guns comprising a revoluble eccentric segmental sight, provided with a peripheral sight groove, V-shaped in cross section, a segmental range indicator formed integral with the sight, a ratchet segment connected with the range indicator, a spring pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet, and an index linger connected with the spring of the pawl and adapted to trail over the range indices, for the purpose set forth.

5. A rear sight for guns, comprising a base adapted to be secured to the gun, a revoluble eccentric segmental sight provided with a peripheral sight grooveV-shaped in cross section, asegmental rangeindicatorrevolulble with and having a fixed relation relatively to said sight, a segmental ratchet secured to the range indicator provided with ratchet teeth the interspaces of which coincide with the graduations on said indicator, a spring pawl in engagement with said teeth, and a pivot pin rigidly secured to the sight, said pin revoluble in bearings on the base, for the purpose set forth.

6. A rear sight for guns, comprising a base adapted to be secured to the gun,a revoluble eccentric segmental sight provided with a pcri pheral sight grooveV-shaped in cross section, asegmentalrangeindicatorrevolublewith and having a fixed relation relatively to said sight, a segmental ratchet secured to the range indicator, provided with ratchet teeth the interspaces of which coincide with the graduations on said indicator, a spring pawl in engagement with said teeth, and a pivot pin rigidly secured to the sight, said pin revoluble in bearings on the base and provided at its outer end with a peripheral groove, in combination with a locking latch adapted to engage said groove, for the purpose set forth.

7. A rear sight for guns, comprising a revoluble eccentric segmental sight, at segmental range indicator revoluble with and having a fixed relation relatively to said sight, and a locking device for locking the parts into po sition, in combination with a graduated sight rod revoluble independently of the sight and range indicator, and a sight adjustable along said rod, for the purpose set forth. v

8. A rear sight for guns, comprising a revoluble eccentric segmental sight, a segmental range indicator revoluble with and having a fixed relation relatively to said sight and a locking device for locking the parts into position, in combination with a graduated sight rod revoluble independently of the sight and range indicator, a sight adjustable along said rod, and a pivot common to said devices, for the purpose set forth.

9. A rear sight for guns, comprising a revoluble eccentric segmental sight, a segmental range indicator revoluble with and having a fixed relation relatively to said sight, and a locking device for locking the parts into position, in combination with a graduated sight rod revoluble independently of the sight and range indicator, said rod constructed in the form of a rack bar, a slide, a pinion in gear with the teeth of the rod mounted on said slide, and a sight secured to the slide, for the purpose set forth.

10. A rear sight for guns comprising a revoluble segmental chambered sight, provided with a light transmitting peripheral sighting line in combination with an illuminating device contained within the sight, for the pur poses set forth.

11. A rear sight for guns comprising a revoluble segmetal chambered sight provided with a peripheral light transmitting sighting line and a segmental chambered range finder revoluble with the sight and provided with a light transmitting peripheral scale, in combination with means for illuminating the interior of said devices.

12. A rear sight for guns, comprising a hollow revoluble eccentric segmental sight provided with a peripheral groove V-shaped in cross section, and with perforations along the apex of said groove, and an illuminating device contained within the sight, for the purpose set forth.

13. A rear sight for guns comprising a hollow revoluble eccentric segmental sight provided with a peripheral groove V-shaped in cross section and with perforations along the apex of said groove, a segmental hollow range indicator connected with the sight and provided with a transparent or translucent scale plate and an illuminating device arranged within the sight and range indicator, for the purpose set forth.

1-1. In a rear sight for guns the combination of the following instrumentalities; a metallic eccentric segmental casing, A, C, constructed relatively t6 each other as described, the portion A, provided with a peripheral groove V- shaped in cross section and with perforations along the apex of the groove, said perforations formed on lines oblique to the radius, the. portion 0 provided with a transparent or translucent plate 1", having range indices thereon, a tubularpivot for said casing, suitable bearings for the pivot, an incandescent lamp seated in and insulated from said pivot, a metallic bearing for the lamp secured to the casing C, and electrically connected with one end of the lamp filament, and with one pole of a source of electricity, and a conductor extending through and insulated from the hollow pivot connecting the other end of said filament with the opposite pole of the source of electricity, as set forth.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMIL BITTER v. SKODA.

Witnesses:

CHISOTURKY, A. SCHLESSING. 

